PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging area farmers to apply to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” cover crop program to receive a discounted crop insurance rate in spring 2021.

“This is a very exciting program that can benefit soil health and protect water quality on and around our farms,” Joyce said. “I strongly encourage local farmers to take this program into consideration when making their fall planting decisions.”

The program allows eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

The goal of the program is to encourage farmers to plant additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives.

“Cover crops are a great way to keep soil anchored, salvage nitrogen, capture carbon and create weed suppression,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting Director of Agriculture. “In the long run, cover crops will help Illinois farmers reduce the need for fertilizer and reach the goals of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.”

Any farmer with coverage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency crop insurance program is eligible to apply.

Applications will be available in December on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. For questions or additional information, contact the department at (217) 782-6297.

DRESDEN – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) criticized the Exelon Corporation’s latest decision to retire Dresden Generating Station in fall 2021, employing 825 Grundy and Will County residents.

“Closing the plant during this economic hardship will have a long-lasting negative impact on the region,” Joyce said. “I am enraged that Exelon would choose to cut jobs and threaten our local economy at a time when hardworking men and women across the region are already struggling from this awful pandemic.”

Dresden Generating Station’s two nuclear reactors generate more than 1,800 megawatts of zero-emissions energy: enough carbon-free electricity to power more than 2 million homes. The plant was set to operate another decade.

Exelon also announced they would be closing the Byron Plant. Both plants combined supply 30 percent of Illinois’ carbon-free energy and help the state to meet its goal to achieve 100 percent clean energy.

Dresden provides hundreds of well-paying jobs and millions of dollars in local economic support, including about $24.8 million in taxes annually for schools, roads and other public services.

“I will continue to work with the bipartisan Senate’s Energy and Public Utilities Committee to institute policies that improve the lives of the people of the 40th State Senate District,” Joyce said.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) released the following statement Tuesday in response to new COVID-19 mitigation measures in Region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee Counties:

“The new mitigation efforts imposed in our region will require us to take proactive steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If we want to get back to where we were at the beginning of Phase 4, I urge residents to take the appropriate steps to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing, wearing masks and adhering to other health and safety guidelines put in place by our public health officials.

“As we work through these new mitigation measures, let’s not forget about our small business community. Local businesses still need our patronage in the weeks ahead. Order takeout. Purchase gift cards. I urge you to join this effort and do your part to overcome this pandemic.” 

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) will join the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to host a free virtual utility bill clinic to help consumers save money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m excited to partner with CUB to help people find alternative ways to reduce their utility bills,” Joyce said. “As families and individuals continue to face tough financial stressors, this clinic is a great resource to make sure their utility usage and costs are in check.” 

Starting Aug. 25 at 9 a.m., residents will be able to register for a virtual one-on-one consultation with a CUB professional to discuss lowering their electric, water, gas, phone, cable and internet bills. After registrants have selected a time slot, they will receive details for a private video call with a CUB representative.

During the clinic, the representative will evaluate participants’ bills to determine if they are signed up with an alternative supplier or paying for unnecessary products or services. CUB will also let participants know if they are eligible for money-saving programs, like financial assistance, and share information about energy efficiency programs.

For more information on the program, visit www.citizensutilityboard.org or contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882.